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From the February 7, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council
2007 Debbie Zimmerman Early Years Niagara Literary Award
Ms. Judy Reid, member of the Debbie Zimmerman Early Years Niagara Literary Award Planning Committee noted that the Debbie Zimmerman Early Years Niagara Literary Award has established a unique award for children's literature aimed at the 0-6 age group. This award was named for Debbie Zimmerman, at the end of her service as Regional Chair of the Niagara Region. This award not only draws attention to the value of reading with children in their early years but recognizes the invaluable role that libraries, Ontario Early Years Centres, and child care centres play in supporting Niagara's families and encouraging early literacy in our community. This year, over 1,700 votes were cast, for the award winning book entitled: Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis. Councillor Zimmerman was delighted when presented with a copy of the book, which the Committee, in partnership with the Touch a Truck fundraiser, will distribute to sites within Niagara where families and children gather, including public libraries, Ontario Early Years Centres, licensed child care centres and paediatrician's offices.
Centre of Innovation: Smart 'Green' Strategies in Biomanufacturing
Dr. Jack Lightstone, President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University advised Regional Council that the Centre of Innovation for Biomanufacturing will change the face of manufacturing. It will be the hub for the development of new green industries in Ontario and provide for a central pillar of a new economic cluster in biomanufacturing and health and wellness, as outlined in the proposals tabled at the Niagara Economic Development Corporation, the Prosperity Council, and the St. Catharines and Thorold Chambers of Commerce. Dr. Lightstone noted that numerous plants grown within Niagara's own greenhouse industry could be used to produce pharmaceutical products for the worldwide market. The centre would assist in moving jobs in the province from traditional manufacturing to profitable "green" opportunities; create good jobs and keep our graduates at home. The Centre of Innovation for Biomanufacturing will have an innovative focus for knowledge-based, health, biomedical and bioscience research, located on the Brock campus. The centre will be a $90 Million, 16,700m2 research and teaching complex consisting of integrated research labs, teaching labs and classrooms, an incubator to support development of spinoff companies. The centre will advance health and wellness research, with scientists focusing on human metabolism; infectious diseases; neuromuscular development/spinal cord injuries; obesity and related diseases (vascular, cardiac, diabetes). Dr. Lightstone thanked Regional Council for their continued support, advocacy and requested that they consider a financial contribution of between three and five million dollars for this initiative in their future budget deliberations. Regional Council passed a motion to continue to support the project and directed staff to provide a method for which the Region can provide this funding in 2009 and report back within two months
2008 Capital Budget
Regional Council ratified the decisions of the Budget Review Committee of the Whole meeting of February 7, 2008 to approve the 2008 Capital Budget in the amount of $153,004,694 for Regional Departments and Agencies, Boards and Commissions, subject to project initiation in accordance with the Capital Management Policy (including the Niagara Regional Police Services Long term Accommodation project but subject to conditions imposed in BRC 2-2007 March 1, 2007). Regional Council also approved the motion by the Budget Review Committee of the Whole that staff be directed to review and revise the Capital Budget Affordability Strategy for 2009 and beyond.
Advocacy for Effective Federal Action On Contraband Tobacco
Regional Council approved a report regarding the rise in availability and use of contraband tobacco and the forwarding of a letter to all members of Parliament to urge federal action. Council also approved Committee's recommendation that the appropriate agencies be invited to Committee to provide a presentation on the legality and issues pertaining to contraband tobacco.
Hosting of the FCM 2010 Board and 2013 or 2014 Annual General Meetings
Regional Council passed a motion expressing its interest in hosting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2010 Board and 2013 or 2014 Annual General Meetings in the Niagara Region, directing Regional staff and the Niagara Economic Development Corporation to assist Niagara Falls Tourism in preparing a bid to host these events in Niagara.
2015 Pan Am Games
Regional Council directed the Regional Chairman to send a letter to the Canadian Olympic Committee requesting information on the official process for promoting a Canadian city to host the 2015 Pan Am Games and that a copy of the letter be sent to all GTA and Greater Golden Horseshoe municipalities advising of the need to engage a broader group of municipalities to assess the interest, preparedness and viability to meet the necessary 2015 Pan Am Games bid requirements.
2008 Corporate Learning Calendar
Regional Council received a report providing an overview of the focus of the 2008 Corporate Learning Program. The circulated calendar outlines the corporate learning and development opportunities available to all Regional employees, members of Regional council, area municipalities, and local boards and agencies through our Corporate Learning Centre for February to June 2008. A nominal fee is charged for staff of area municipalities, boards and agencies to attend any of the programs.