Councillors believe province’s decision already made on regional review

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

Oshawa city council has adopted an official stance on the province’s review of regional government, but some members question if it really matters.

At its latest meeting, council passed several resolutions in regards to the review, including an endorsement of the current two-tier municipal government in Durham Region, and opposition to any amalgamation involving Oshawa.

While there is a public consultation element to the review, two councillors were evident in their belief the province has likely made up its mind already.

“We have no idea what the province wants to do, and we have no idea what the outcome will be because the province will do what it wants,” said Ward 2 regional councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, calling the review “a dog and pony show.”

Marimpietri said the city and region have undertaken reviews of departments and services and suggested the province should do likewise.

“They should take a look at the type of red tape they subject municipalities too,” he added, noting lower-tier governments have to “beg and pray” for any kind of provincial funding.

Ward 5 regional councillor Brian Nicholson said rumours are “ripe and rampant” across the province as to what to happen, and he believes the government has provided the public “no information on what they are considering.”

He took aim at Premier Doug Ford, noting his “dislike for municipal government is palpable.”

Nicholson said he wants the province to keep its hands off local matters.

“The people of Durham are quite clear that they simply don’t want the province deciding what goes on in their communities,” he said.

However, Ward 1 city councillor Rosemary McConkey thinks the review is necessary.

“I appreciate the fact we are having this conversation,” she said, adding “there is always room for improvement.”

Ward 4 city councillor Derek Giberson wants to avoid overuse of the term “red tape,” calling it a “political buzzword.”

“We are reinforcing the belief that all government regulation is bad,” Giberson stated.

Nicholson agreed, stating the Ford government wants to “create a perception in the community that municipal government is not working at all.”

Ward 5 city councillor John Gray said support amalgamation, going as far to say he wants Oshawa and Clarington to merge.

“We’ll be the colossus of the east,” he said, adding creating a higher population, would, in turn, mean a higher residential tax base.