The widening of Highway 40 and Sarnia's post-pandemic economy were among the topics discussed with various Ontario ministries this week.
A Sarnia delegation, including councillors Mike Stark, Terry Burrell and Brian White, Chief Administrative Officer Chris Carter and other senior staff, participated in AMO [Association of Municipalities of Ontario] conference meetings held virtually from London on Monday and Tuesday.
"The constant theme over the last 35-years has been the four-laning of Highway 40, and we got reassurance from the Minister of Transportation, Caroline Mulroney, that it is in the environmental assessment stage, so it is now working through the process and obviously heading towards a shovel in the ground," said Stark.
He said they were assured continued financial support for pandemic recovery.
"Entering the fourth wave of the pandemic, it's unknown territory and a concern for all of us, but one that we know is going to cost money and we need the upper levels of government to assist."
Stark said they advocated for the easy and safe return to work of firefighters who have been diagnosed with PTSD.
"We made the point that we do not support the idea that firefighters were excluded from the entire issue, and we feel that firefighters are just as important in terms of support as it relates to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as the police and emergency responders."
Funding to update 9-1-1 service so the public can send text images, video and data to an emergency call centre was also urged, and they sought support for the redevelopment of downtown Sarnia and along the waterfront.
"We would certainly be in far better shape if the province were onside in supporting us in those endeavors," said Stark. "We are trying to make sure that the downtown core and the waterfront are married into one development, so that one enhances the other."
The exploration of new methods to calculate property taxes for individual property owners was encouraged and support was sought for climate change initiatives.
The city also asked for more control over the number of retail cannabis outlets and suggested that regulations be similar to those set by the province for payday loan and adult entertainment establishments.
