Steve Comisky
519-752-1007

Annexation:

On Nov. 9, the Ontario Municipal Board will rule on whether it can rule on requests by Brantford to annex land in the “greenbelt” (standstill/no build zone) that was created by provincial legislation in 1980.  Brantford is interested in annexing land in the “greenbelt” at Hwy 403 and Garden Avenue. The original intent of this “greenbelt” or standstill/no build zone was to protect this land for "permanent agriculture and related rural uses". 

As an elected official of our county would you protect this land for “permanent agriculture and related rural uses”?

I do not support annexing the land located at Hwy 403 and Garden Avenue to the City of Brantford.  As a municipal council, the county could not overrule an OMB decision so any further steps in this area would be dependent on the OMB’s ruling.

Amalgamation:

As an elected official of our county, would you support amalgamation of Brant County with Brantford?

I do not support amalgamation of the City of Brantford and County of Brant. The county is a unique municipality with important agricultural and cultural heritage that must be protected and preserved.

Waste and Waste Diversion:

1) a) The “Green Hub” is being promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and some politicians, but no one is really clear about what it means.

As an elected official of our county, would you ensure more transparency and democratic imput on the Green Hub?

The idea of a green hub is being promoted as a marketing tool to attract business, research and jobs to the area.   As mayor, I would ensure county residents have input on any applications which come before the County of Brant as part of new green initiatives.

b) What initiatives would you support for the “Green Hub”?

I support the marketing of our region as a green hub because it has great potential to bring new jobs and security to the people of the County of Brant. Any initiative or application which comes before the county will have to be weighed in terms of all its potential benefits and impacts.

The present Brant County council voted to remove “waste to energy” and gasification proposals from the Official Plan, because of concerns from residents about toxic emissions, the destruction of valuable resources and costs to municipalities.

 As an elected official of our county, would you work to ensure that our municipal waste is not gasified (incinerated) in Brant County or in any other community (e.g. Six Nations)?

I always like to hear all sides of an issue, and see the research, before making a decision.  We do know that Brant has a garbage problem and it isn’t going to take care of itself.   How to take care of that problem is not a decision to be made in haste so while I won’t say I support incineration, I’m also not prepared to completely rule it out.

I do not feel that any municipality has the right to dictate how its neighbours operate, though good working relationships will be key to how we go forward in the future.

1) Some Brantford business are accepting and processing toxic waste from other communities (computer waste, used tires and radioactive waste).

 As an elected official of our county, would you work to ensure that our county does not encourage or allow industries that would import toxic waste (e.g. tires, e-waste, radioactive waste, municipal garbage, sewage sludge) from other communities, to be processed or disposed of in Brant County?

 The goal of a municipal council is to speak for its constituents. If the majority of county residents were against any project, I would conduct myself accordingly. It is important to keep in mind that there are guidelines that a council must follow when considering any kind of application.

2) Our landfill is quickly filling up.  Markham won awards for diverting 73% of its municipal garbage from the landfill. 

As an elected official of our county, would you work on efforts to match or beat Markham's 73% municipal waste diversion rate?

I do support improving Brant’s waste diversion rate.    Through better public awareness and education alone, significant changes can be made to build a greener Brant.

1) Pennsylvania and British Columbia use different methods to ensure that local farmers can compete with the developers to buy farmland (e.g. conservation easements, land trusts and purchase of development rights). 

As an elected official of our county, would you support similar programs to help Brant County farmland to continue to be owned and farmed by farmers?

Many people criticize farmers for selling their land, however it is their personal decision. That said, agriculture is an important part of Brant’s history that must be preserved. As mayor, I want to hear from the farming community to learn what council can do to support them and help keep farms in the county operational and viable. If the farming community were to say it desires similar programs to those used in British Columbia, I would make every effort to make that happen.

3) Municipalities close to home (like Markham) and across North America cities are implementing local and sustainable food procurement policies to support farmers and the local economy.”

As an elected official of our county, would you support a local and sustainable food procurement policy?

In the County of Brant, we are lucky to have such high quality food being produced by our farmers.  I would first like to learn more about the decision made by the town of Markham in 2008 and I would like to hear from the agricultural community about how the municipality and local residents can support local food. Great strides have already been made by Bountiful Brant and with growing awareness of the 100 mile diet.

a) Large amounts of land have been purchased in Brant County by developers and foreign investors. 

As an elected official of our county, are you concerned that this will give them undue influence in decision-making especially when it comes to development?

 I am not concerned that developers will have power to determine where the county develops. The provincial Places to Grow Act and the county’s official plan very much influence how and where growth occurs. My goal as mayor will be to ensure the public has input about development.

b) How would you work to ensure that this does not happen?

Please see above.

4) Prince Edward County banned the spread of its municipal biosolids (liquid sewage sludge and dewatered sewage sludge) on farmland.

As an elected official of our county, would you support a similar ban for Brant County?

 I am very interested in understanding the steps that Prince Edward County has taken in this area and I would gather input from the community to determine our best course of action.

5) There are 2700 signatures on a petition asking the Province to extend the provincial Greenbelt into Brant County to protect prime farmland, natural areas and the Paris-Galt moraine.  

As an elected official of our county, would you support extending the provincial Greenbelt into Brant County?

 There are two very differing views right now on greenbelt expansion. One is to designate, the other is to put off expansion until 2015, to wait and see if the designation has helped farmers elsewhere.   I see no issue with compromise. I propose having staff do some research into what the designation would mean in terms of general economic impact and specific impact on the agricultural community. Once completed, an analysis of the impact would determine the next step.

Heritage:

6) a) The Heritage Act and our Official Plan are very specific about the steps that should be taken to protect our architectural and natural heritage. 

 Do you believe that this is important?   

 Yes I do.  Our heritage is part of what makes the County of Brant so appealing.  Our downtown cores and historic buildings are one of the main reasons why so many people love this county.   As mayor, I will lead council in ensuring we follow all legal guidelines when it comes to protecting architecture and heritage. I will also look to the public to share their opinions with council about what is important to the community.

b) As an elected official of our county, are you committed to keeping our old schools and halls publicly owned and operated?

In 2008, the county completed a property management study which provided an inventory of all our community centers and halls, including the cost to make them accessible, and their yearly revenue.    As part of this study, it was determined that several buildings should be disposed of by the county. A few buildings have already been sold to residents of the county, who are using them for community services such as child care. I think it is important that these community buildings, where possible, are put back into the hands of community members, so they can be used for services, heritage groups, or other uses which benefit the community.

Campaign Donations:

7) a) Has your campaign office accepted any donations from the development interests which own or control land in Brant County?

No.

b) Cities such as Toronto have introduced a ban on donations from corporations and unions for election campaigns. As an elected official of our county, would you support this in Brant County?

 Yes, I would support introducing a ban on donations from corporations and unions for election campaigns. This would be the only ethical way to run a campaign.

 Air and Water Quality:

8)  Airport residents documented a pattern of toxic emissions from brick factories in other communities.

As an elected official of our county, will you ensure stringent county oversight to prevent not just monitor, toxic emissions into the air and water from the proposed brick factory near the airport?

In the County of Brant, we have talented staff when it comes to managing new development project and industry.   The high quality of air and water for all of Brant’s residents will be a priority.

Private-Public Partnerships (P3s)

9) The Council of Canadians takes a strong stance against P3s because of the debt that municipalities eventually get left with, and the quality of construction.

As an elected official of our county, would you work to ensure that the Council does not turn to P3s to provide sewer and  water infrastructure for proposed development projects in the county (e.g. Cainsville,Brant East)?

For any proposed projects in the County of Brant, the council as well as staff will give much consideration to water and sewer infrastructure when weighing which options will be best for ratepayers and the municipality as a whole.

Democratic  Process:

10) a) As an elected official of our county, would you work to ensure that residents are consulted and kept informed about issues that council deals with?

Yes.  I strongly believe that we arrive at the best solutions when we gather input from the community.

b) Would you support delegations to council if an issue is not resolved?

Council currently has a policy which allows delegations to speak. I support continuing this practice.

c) Would you work to reduce the number of in camera meetings?

 There are rules that govern when a council must go in-camera and I would need to follow those guidelines.   That said, I don’t believe in having meetings where the public cannot attend and cannot provide input.

Sustainable Transportation

11) The proposed highway (commonly known as Hwy 424) from Brantford to Cambridge would cut through prime farmland and the Galt-Paris moraine. The Smart Coalition has a legal challenge of the highway, arguing that a highway in this area is not included in the provincially binding Growth Plan.

   As an elected official of our county, will you work to plan more sustainable ways of moving people and goods, rather than building a highway?

 Until the legal issue is resolved it is difficult to speak for or against the highway.   I am open to looking at alternatives.