Peel supports funding for environmental protection

Peel regional council approved water and wastewater user fees that include enhanced funding for the protection of Peel's natural resources.

The combined water and wastewater rate will increase by 9.2% or approximately $30 per average household. The rate change will be reflected on all water bills issued on or after April 1.

"Peel's water and wastewater rates remain the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area, despite the increase," said Dan Labrecque, the Region's treasurer and commissioner of finance.

Regional staff presented the proposed amendments to the fee structure to council at the Feb. 15 regional council meeting. Council heard presentations from Rae Horst, CAO of Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Brian Denney, CAO of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Both authorities oversee conservation initiatives in the Region of Peel.

In their delegation to council, Horst and Denney expressed the urgency in dedicating additional funding to initiate projects within Peel that will address the impacts of global climate change. Regional council responded by voting to allocate additional funding of $5 million, over the originally proposed $12 million, to the conservation authorities serving Peel. These additional funds will be raised through water and tax rates.

"The time has come to focus our attention on preserving, protecting and enhancing our environment," said Pat Mullin, regional councillor and chair of Credit Valley Conservation. "By allocating much needed funding to the conservation authorities serving Peel, the Region is taking the lead and affirming its commitment to being environmentally responsible."

"CVC has built up tremendous scientific expertise in the last 10 years. We wish to recognize and thank the Region of Peel and our local municipalities that have had the foresight to fund research that will serve us well to guide this area's response to global warming," Horst explained. "This funding will allow us to implement measures to protect ground and surface water quality and quantity over the next few years."

The funding allocated to the conservation authorities is subject to final council approval of the 2007 budget. Council continues to deliberate the proposed 2007 budget initially presented for approval Jan. 19. For more information on Peel's 2007 Budget, visit peelregion.ca/finance.