Two strong cities and one strong town equalling one strong Peel region
By EMIL KOLB regional chair

As we begin 2007, I wish you and your families a very happy, healthy and safe New Year.

I am pleased and proud to have been appointed regional chair for a sixth term. It is a privilege to work with a strong regional council and staff to serve more than 1.1 million citizens in one of Canada’s largest and fastestgrowing municipalities, comprised of the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon.

During my tenure as regional chair, I have been fortunate to see the Region of Peel grow stronger each year. We celebrate diversity and the rich skills and experiences brought to the region by its citizens.

I am extremely proud that in October the Region of Peel was awarded the National Quality Institute’s prestigious Governor General’s Canada Award for Excellence Gold Trophy, becoming the first government in Canada to earn this distinction. This coveted award is tangible, independently verified evidence of an organization’s level of business excellence. With this award, the Region of Peel is firmly established as a highperforming organization and is a testament to our commitment to quality service delivery.

Together, we have developed smart, sound solutions that have fostered the trust and confidence of Peel citizens. While it is impossible to list all of our accomplishments, the sum of our achievements amounts to two strong cities of Mississauga and Brampton and one strong Town of Caledon, equalling a strong and vibrant community known as the Region of Peel.

Take a look at what has been accomplished during the last term of council:

 A new Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility, the largest of its kind in Canada, combining single stream recycling, waste disposal services and composting all under one roof.

 Peel is a leader in the delivery of water and wastewater programs. We have added value by expanding our facilities and equipping them with the best available technology to ensure high quality drinking water and protection of the environment.

 A recent quote from the Sierra Club indicated that the Region of Peel had one of the best designed and operated water and wastewater facilities in North America.

 Over the past term of Council, an additional 55 paramedics were hired to increase the level of service to the citizens of Peel.

 Peel Public Health is one of the first health units in the province to develop a one-stop location for multiple clinic services - the Meadowvale Multi-Service Clinic is the model that will be used for the next planned clinics in Peel.

 Public Health staff conducted more than 9,000 inspections a year to promote and maintain food safety.

 The Region of Peel added 320 new long-term care beds to serve the growing Peel population.

 We opened Angela’s Place and Peel Youth Village, two innovative transitional housing initiatives for families and youth, reflecting our commitment to find alternatives to shelters.

 We obtained approval for 567 additional affordable housing units that include:

* 200 units for seniors and singles, built with a municipal parking garage in partnership with the City of Brampton.

* Another 365 units of new social housing have received initial approval from regional council including the Walker Road Seniors building expansion in Caledon East. The total 567 units were created in partnership with funding from the region and the federal and provincial governments. Approximately $46 million has been committed from the region, along with $33 million from the federal and provincial governments.

We have maintained competitive water and wastewater rates and continue to receive a Triple-A credit rating. We have made strong planning and financial decisions and have stayed true to the principle of sustainability. By working together, we have achieved the goal set so long ago of creating one of the strongest local governments, not just in Ontario, but in Canada.

The Region of Peel believes in the strength of its partnerships and will continue to nurture the solid relationships it has established over the years with other governments, agencies, and service providers. Such important joint enterprises can help to enhance social services and children’s services, better respond to the needs of our growing seniors’ population, and strengthen our housing strategy and infrastructure.

I want to acknowledge our dedicated regional employees, volunteers and external partners who work tirelessly and contribute their expertise to sustain and improve the quality of life for Peel citizens.

Looking to the future, I believe we are at a pivotal

point in Peel region. I know we have an opportunity to make a lasting difference for our community - a community that will keep us on a path of prosperity and growth that will extend well beyond the next four years.

I pledge my commitment to making a difference and to continue building on our strong foundation to ensure the future prosperity of the Region of Peel.

For more information about our programs and services, please visit our Web site at peelregion.ca.